An IndyGo commuter express serving Greenwood will begin running March 2. The route will be the bus system’s third, following the introduction of express routes to Fishers and Carmel.

The routes were especially popular with Downtown commuters last year when gasoline prices topped $4 a gallon.

The first bus will depart at 6 a.m. March 2 from the Meijer store at 150 S. Marlin Drive, near Ind. 135.

“With 200,000 rides provided so far, the popularity of the (bus) services in Carmel and Fishers have demonstrated the continued need for mass transit in this region,” said IndyGo President and CEO Michael Terry.

“We’re excited to launch the Greenwood service as our third demonstration express route and anticipate another success story.”

The Greenwood express service is funded for three years by a $1.8 million federal grant, which provides 80 percent of the funding with a 20 percent local match provided by the city of Greenwood. Plans for the Greenwood express had been delayed for a few months by problems in arranging local financing.

“This is an opportunity to provide our residents transportation alternatives for commuting to work while reducing the impact on our environment,” said Greenwood Mayor Charles Henderson. “We appreciate the opportunity to partner with IndyGo in the new commuter service.”

The Greenwood express will operate service Monday through Friday with the first departure at 6 a.m. and the final drop off at in Greenwood at 6:45 p.m. One-way bus fare is $3.

Downtown stops include: Pennsylvania and Ohio streets; Pennsylvania and Washington; Pennsylvania and Henry; Delaware and McCarty (first stop from Greenwood); Illinois and Market; Illinois and New York.

For more information, call the IndyGo Customer Service Center at (317) 635-3344.